Rain Leggings

ABSTRACT

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a protective rain legging is disclosed, comprising: a waterproof leg encircling portion with an inner side, an outer side, a top opening and a bottom opening. The top opening is higher on the outer side of the leg-encircling portion, and slopes downward towards the lower inner side of the top portion of the legging. An attachment means is fixedly attached to the outer side of the top opening, for attaching the leg-encircling portion to the waist portion of a garment worn by the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to protective outerwear,particularly leggings used to protect the wearer's legs, clothing andshoes in rainy or wet conditions. The present invention may also bedisposable.

Numerous protective chaps are known within the art. By way of exampleU.S. Pat. No. 4,984,303 issued to Ross discloses rain chaps, whichprotect the front side of the wearer from rain or frontal contact withwet objects. The rain chaps consist of two leg portions affixed to abelt. Straps attached to the leg portions keep the leg portions snuglyin position to the front of the wearers legs. This invention doesnothing to protect the back side of the wearers legs from rain or wetobjects, and does nothing to protect the wearers shoes from water as theleg portions extend only to the ankles.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,213 issued to Harvey, discloses a pair of leggingsadjoined at the waist to protect the lower body of a motorcycle riderincluding his feet from the rain. The rain cover comprises a pair ofpants consisting of leggings and a gaiter like foot covering portionthat leaves only the sole of the shoe exposed. The Harvey invention, asa one-piece garment, fully covers the waist of the wearer; this makesquick dressing difficult, and ultimately cumbersome.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,845 issued to Chellis. discloses Rain Chaps toprotect the lower legs of the wearer from rain. The Chellis invention iscomposed of lightweight material and incorporates straps to connect theupper edge of the chap to the belt of the wearer. The chaps can besnapped or releasable along a longitudinal inside seam, to facilitateeasy putting on and removal. Although the Chellis invention protects thelower leg, it does nothing to protect the upper leg from rain or wetobjects.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,778 issued to Stoner discloses protective footwearand lower leg covering. The boot cover is constructed of heavy durablematerial, which has an open sole and connects to a reinforced lower legcovering. Both the boot and leg covering are open in the back so thatthe article can be directly fastened to the leg and foot, rather thanpulled on. This protective boot however is made to protect the front ofthe foot and shin from debris, but not the back of the leg and foot,rather complicated to put on and cumbersome.

Although rain chaps and protective foot coverings exist within the art,what are needed are protective chaps that are easily donned, and protectthe upper and lower leg as well as the shoe in rainy or wet conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a protective legging, which can be wornon a leg as a measure of protection from the rain or other wetconditions.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a protectiverain legging is disclosed, comprising: a waterproof leg encirclingportion with an inner side, an outer side, a top opening and a bottomopening. The top opening is higher on the outer side of theleg-encircling portion, and slopes downward towards the lower inner sideof the top portion of the legging. An attachment means is fixedlyattached to the outer side of the top opening, for attaching theleg-encircling portion to the waist portion of a garment worn by thewearer.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a protectiverain legging is disclosed comprising: a waterproof leg encirclingportion with an inner side, an outer side, a top opening and a bottomopening, an attachment means, and an insulating layer. The top openingis higher on the outer side of the leg encircling portion, and slopesdownward towards the lower inner side of the legging. An attachmentmeans is comprised of a first piece of fabric fixedly attached to theouter portion of the top opening of the legging. The first piece offabric is long enough to allow the second end of the first piece offabric to be attached to the garment around the waist of the wearerusing a Velcro strip as a securing means. The insulating layer is fixedinto the inside of the leg-encircling portion.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a one-piecedisposable protective plastic rain legging is disclosed, comprising: aplastic leg encircling portion with an inner side, an outer side, a topopening, a bottom opening and attachment means. The top opening ishigher on the outer side of the leg-encircling portion, and slopesdownward towards the lower inner side of the leg-encircling portion. Theattachment means extends from the outer side of the top opening.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a roll ofprotective legging structures is disclosed, comprising; a multitude ofone-piece disposable protective rain leggings wherein each of the onepiece disposable protective plastic rain leggings is serially adjoinedand wound into a roll.

According to still yet another aspect of the present invention, a methodof manufacturing a multitude of legging structures serially adjoined inpackage roll form having the following steps; providing an indeterminatelength of tubular plastic; stamping a perforation at points in thelength of tubular plastic forming serially connected legging structures;rolling the serially connected legging structures up.

This summary is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a side view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a side view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1D is a rear view of protective rain leggings according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a side view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a front view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is a front view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D is a front view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2E is a front view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a front view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a front view of a protective rain legging according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a roll of protective rain leggingsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a roll of protective rain leggingsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting a method of manufacturing a multitude oflegging structures according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratingthe general principles of the invention, since the scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1A depicts a protective rain legging 15 comprising: a waterproofleg encircling portion 20 with an inner side 22, an outer side 24, a topopening 26 and a bottom opening 28. The leg-encircling portion may bemade out of plastic. The top opening 26 of the leg-encircling portion 20is higher on the outer side 24 of the leg-encircling portion 20, andslopes downward towards the lower inner side 22 of the leg-encirclingportion 20. An attachment means 30 is fixedly attached to the outer side24 of the top opening 26, which attaches the leg-encircling portion 20to the waist portion 31 of a garment 33 worn by the wearer 35. Theprotective rain legging 15 may further comprise a stirrup 54, wherein afirst end 52 of the stirrup 54 is attached to the inner side 22 of theleg-encircling portion 20 and a second end 56 of the stirrup 54 isattached to the outer side 24 of the leg-encircling portion 20,providing a stirrup 54 that runs across the underside of the wearersshoe 62. The leg-encircling portion 20 may have a promotional display 50thereon which may be a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark oremblem.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the attachment means 30 of the protective rainlegging 15 may be comprised of a first piece of fabric 32 and a secondpiece of fabric 34. The first end 36 of the first piece of fabric 32 andthe first end 38 of the second piece of fabric 34 are fixedly attachedto the outer side 24 of the top opening 26 of the leg encircling portion20. The first piece of fabric 32 and the second piece of fabric 34 arelong enough to allow the second end 40 of the first piece of fabric 32and the second end 42 of the second piece of fabric 34 to be joinedaround the waist portion 31 of the wearer using a securing means 47. Thesecuring means 47 may be Velcro, buckle, clip, snap, button, or a tie.The bottom opening 28 of the leg-encircling portion 20 may furthercomprise a tightening means 60 which may be a drawstring or elastic.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the attachment means 30 may be comprised of asingle first piece of fabric 46 fixedly attached to the outer portion 24of the top opening 26 of the leg-encircling portion 20. The first pieceof fabric 46 is long enough to allow the second end 48 of the firstpiece of fabric 46 to be attached to the garment around the waist of thewearer using a securing means 47. The securing means 47 may be Velcro,buckle, clip, snap, button, or a tie. The leg-encircling portion 20 mayalso be lined with an insulating material 58.

As shown in FIG. 1D the diameter of the leg-encircling portion 20 mayincrease approaching the bottom opening 28, providing a bottom opening28 that substantially covers and protects the shoes 62 of the wearer 35,leaving soles of the shoe 62 exposed.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a protective rain legging 115 comprising: awaterproof leg encircling portion 120 with an inner side 122, an outerside 124, a top opening 126 and a bottom opening 128. The top opening126 of the leg-encircling portion 120 is higher on the outer side 124 ofthe leg-encircling portion 120, and slopes downward towards the lowerinner side 122 of the leg-encircling portion 120. An attachment means130 is fixedly attached to the outer side 124 of the top opening 126,which attaches the leg-encircling portion 120 to the waist portion 131of a garment 133 worn by the wearer 135. The attachment means 130 iscomprised of a single first piece of fabric 146 fixedly attached to theouter side 124 of the top opening 126 of the leg-encircling portion 120.The first piece of fabric 146 is long enough to allow the second end 148of the first piece of fabric 146 to be attached to waist portion 131 ofa garment 133 worn by the wearer 135 using a securing means 147. Thesecuring means 147 may be Velcro, buckle, clip, snap, button, or a tie.The leg-encircling portion 120 may also be lined with an insulatingmaterial 158.

As shown in FIG. 2C the bottom opening 128 of the leg-encircling portion120 may further comprise a tightening means 160, which may be adrawstring or elastic.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the protective rain legging 115 may furthercomprise a stirrup 154, wherein a first end 152 of the stirrup 154 isattached to the inner side 122 of the bottom opening 128 of theleg-encircling portion 120 and a second end 156 of the stirrup 154 isattached to the outer side 124 of the bottom opening 128 of theleg-encircling portion 120, providing a stirrup 154 that runs across theunderside of the wearers shoe 162. The leg-encircling portion 120 mayhave a promotional display 150 thereon which may be a logo,advertisement, brand name, trademark and emblem.

As shown in FIG. 2E the diameter of the leg-encircling portion 120 mayincrease approaching the bottom opening 128, providing a bottom opening128 that substantially covers and protects the shoes 162 of the wearer135, leaving soles of the shoe 162 exposed.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a one-piece disposable protective rain legging215 comprising: a plastic leg encircling portion 220 with an inner side222, an outer side 224, a top opening 226 and a bottom opening 228. Thetop opening 226 of the leg-encircling portion 220 is higher on the outerside 224 of the leg-encircling portion 220, and slopes downward towardsthe lower inner side 222 of the leg-encircling portion 220. Anattachment means 230 extending from the outer side 224 of the topopening 226, attaches the leg-encircling portion 220 to the waistportion 231 of a garment 233 worn by the wearer 235. The attachmentmeans 230 may be comprised of a single first piece of plastic 246extending from the outer portion 24 of the top opening 26 of theleg-encircling portion 20. The first piece of plastic 246 is long enoughto allow the second end 248 of the first piece of fabric 246 to beattached to the waist portion 231 of a garment 233 worn by the wearer235. The protective rain legging 215 may further comprise a stirrup 254,wherein a first end 252 of the stirrup 254 is attached to the inner side222 of the leg-encircling portion 220 and a second end 256 of thestirrup 254 is attached to the outer side 224 of the leg-encirclingportion 220, providing a stirrup 254 that runs across the underside ofthe wearers shoe 262. The leg-encircling portion 220 may have apromotional display 250 thereon which may be a logo, advertisement,brand name, trademark and emblem.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the diameter of the leg-encircling portion 220increases approaching the bottom opening 228, providing a bottom opening228 that substantially covers the shoes 262 of the wearer, leaving thesoles of the shoes exposed.

FIG. 4A depicts a roll of protective legging structures 310 comprising;a multitude of one-piece disposable protective plastic rain leggings 315wherein each of the one-piece disposable protective plastic rainleggings 315 serially adjoined and wound into a roll 316. The one-piecedisposable protective plastic rain legging 315 is comprised of; a legencircling portion 320 with an inner side 322, an outer side 324, a topopening 326, a bottom opening 328 and attachment means, wherein the topopening 326 is higher on the outer side 324 of the leg-encirclingportion 320, and sloping downward towards the lower inner side 322, andthe attachment means 330 extending from the outer side 324 of the topopening 326. The attachment means 330 may be comprised of a single firstpiece of plastic 346 extending from the outer portion 324 of the topopening 326 of the leg-encircling portion 320. The first piece ofplastic 346 is long enough to allow the second end 348 of the firstpiece of plastic 346 to be attached to the waist portion of a garmentworn by a wearer. The one-piece disposable protective plastic rainleggings 315 may also have a promotional display 350 thereon, which maybe a logo, advertisement, brand name, trademark and emblem.

As displayed in FIG. 4B, the one-piece disposable protective plasticrain leggings 315 may further comprise a stirrup 354, wherein a firstend 352 of the stirrup 354 is attached to the inner side 322 of theleg-encircling portion 320 and a second end 356 of the stirrup 354 isattached to the outer side 324 of the leg-encircling portion 320,providing a stirrup 354 that runs across the underside of the wearersshoe.

FIG. 5 depicts a method of fabricating a method of manufacturing amultitude of legging structures 315 serially adjoined in package rollform having the following steps: step (500) providing an indeterminatelength of tubular plastic. Step (510) is stamping a perforation atpoints in the length of tubular plastic forming serially connectedlegging structures. Step (520) is rolling the serially connected leggingstructures into a roll 310. The method of manufacturing may furthercomprise the step of stamping a semicircular perforation sloping upwardfrom the inner side of the legging structure to the outer side of thelegging structure. The perforation dictates the shape of the leggingsand their orientation when connected in package roll form. The leggingsmay be stamped with the same orientation so the leggings are seriallyconnected where the top of one legging is connected to the bottom of thenext legging. The leggings may be also be serially connected whilehaving alternating orientation, wherein leggings are connected topportion to top portion and bottom portion to bottom portion. It shouldbe understood that a multitude of legging shapes, attachment means, andorientations of stamping and interconnection are envisioned.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates topreferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

1. Protective rain legging comprising: a waterproof leg encirclingportion with an inner side, an outer side, a top opening and a bottomopening; said top opening being higher on the outer side of said legencircling portion, and sloping downward towards said lower inner side;and an attachment means fixedly attached to said outer side of said topopening, for attaching said leg encircling portion to the waist portionof a garment worn by the wearer.
 2. The apparatus as in claim 1, whereinsaid attachment means is comprised of a first piece of fabric and asecond piece of fabric, said first end of said first piece of fabric andsaid first end of said second piece of fabric are fixedly attached tosaid outer portion of said top opening of said leg encircling portion,said first piece of fabric and said second piece of fabric being longenough to allow said second end of said first piece of fabric and saidend of said second piece of fabric to be joined around the belt of saidwearer using a securing means.
 3. The apparatus as in claim 2, whereinsaid securing means are selected from the group consisting of Velcro,buckle, clip, snap, button, tie.
 4. The apparatus as in claim 1, whereinsaid attachment means is comprised of a first piece of fabric fixedlyattached to said outer portion of said top opening of said legencircling portion, said first piece of fabric being long enough toallow said second end of said first piece of fabric to be attached tothe garment around the waist of said wearer using a securing means. 5.The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said securing means is selectedfrom the group consisting of Velcro, buckle, clip, snap, button, tie. 6.The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the diameter of said leg encirclingportion increases approaching the bottom opening, providing a bottomopening that substantially covers the shoes of the wearer, leaving thesoles of the shoes exposed.
 7. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein afirst end of a stirrup is attached to said inner side of said legencircling portion and a second end of said stirrup is attached to saidouter side of said leg encircling portion, providing a stirrup that runsacross the underside of said wearers shoe.
 8. The apparatus as in claim1, wherein said leg encircling portion has a promotional display affixedthereto.
 9. The apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said promotionaldisplay is selected from the group consisting of logo, advertisement,brand name, trademark and emblem.
 10. The apparatus as in claim 1,wherein said leg encircling portion is lined with an insulatingmaterial.
 11. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said bottom openinghas a tightening means at said bottom opening of said leg encirclingportion.
 12. The apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said tightening meansis selected from the group drawstring, elastic.
 13. Protective rainlegging comprising: a waterproof leg encircling portion with an innerside, an outer side, a top opening and a bottom opening, an attachmentmeans, and an insulating layer; said top opening being higher on theouter side of said leg encircling portion, and sloping downward towardssaid lower inner side; said attachment means is comprised of a firstpiece of fabric fixedly attached to said outer portion of said topopening of said leg encircling portion, said first piece of fabric beinglong enough to allow said second end of said first piece of fabric to beattached to the garment around the waist of said wearer using a Velcrostrip as a securing means; and said insulating layer being fixed intothe inside of the leg encircling portion.
 14. The apparatus as in claim13, wherein a first end of a stirrup is attached to said inner side ofsaid leg encircling portion and a second end of said stirrup is attachedto said outer side of said leg encircling portion, providing a stirrupthat runs across the underside of said wearers shoe.
 15. The apparatusas in claim 13, wherein said bottom opening has a tightening means atsaid bottom opening of said leg encircling portion.
 16. The apparatus asin claim 13, wherein said tightening means is selected from the groupdrawstring, elastic.
 17. The apparatus as in claim 13, wherein thediameter of said leg encircling portion increases approaching the bottomopening, providing a bottom opening that substantially covers the shoesof the wearer, leaving the soles of the shoes exposed.
 18. The apparatusas in claim 1, wherein said leg encircling portion has a promotionaldisplay affixed thereto.
 19. The apparatus as in claim 8, wherein saidpromotional display is selected from the group consisting of logo,advertisement, brand name, trademark and emblem.
 20. One-piecedisposable protective plastic rain legging comprising: a plastic legencircling portion with an inner side, an outer side, a top opening, abottom opening and attachment means, wherein said top opening is higheron said outer side of said leg encircling portion, and sloping downwardtowards said lower inner side, and said attachment means extending fromsaid outer side of said top opening.
 21. The apparatus as in claim 20,wherein said attachment means is comprised of a single piece of plasticextending from said outer portion of said top opening of said legencircling portion, said single piece of plastic being long enough toallow said piece of plastic to be attached to the garment around thewaist of said wearer.
 22. The apparatus as in claim 20, wherein thediameter of said leg encircling portion increases approaching the bottomopening, providing a bottom opening that substantially covers the shoesof the wearer, leaving the soles of the shoes exposed.
 23. The apparatusas in claim 20, further comprising a stirrup having a first end attachedto said inner side of said leg encircling portion, a second end attachedto said outer side of said leg encircling portion, providing a stirrupthat runs across the underside of said wearers shoe.
 24. The apparatusas in claim 20, further comprising promotional displays affixed to saidlegging.
 25. The apparatus as in claim 24, wherein said promotionaldisplay is selected from the group consisting of logo, advertisement,brand name, trademark and emblem.
 26. A roll of protective leggingstructures comprising: a multitude of one-piece disposable protectiverain leggings wherein each of said one piece disposable protectiveplastic rain leggings serially adjoined and wound into a roll.
 27. Theapparatus as in claim 26, wherein said one-piece disposable protectiveplastic rain legging is further comprised of a leg encircling portionwith an inner side, an outer side, a top opening, a bottom opening andattachment means, wherein said top opening is higher on said outer sideof said leg encircling portion, and sloping downward towards said lowerinner side, and said attachment means extending from said outer side ofsaid top opening.
 28. The apparatus as in claim 26, wherein each of saidone-piece disposable protective plastic rain leggings has a promotionaldisplay.
 29. The apparatus as in claim 28, wherein said promotionaldisplay is selected from the group consisting of logo, advertisement,brand name, trademark and emblem.
 30. The apparatus as in claim 27,wherein said attachment means is comprised of a single piece of plasticextending from said outer portion of said top opening of said legging,said single piece of plastic being long enough to allow said piece ofplastic to be attached to the garment around the waist of said wearer.31. The apparatus as in claim 27, further comprising a stirrup having afirst end attached to said inner side of said legging, a second endattached to said outer side of said legging, providing a stirrup thatruns across the underside of said wearers shoe.
 32. A method ofmanufacturing a multitude of legging structures serially adjoined inpackage roll form having the following steps: providing an indeterminatelength of tubular plastic; and stamping a perforation at points in thelength of tubular plastic forming serially connected legging structures.33. A method as in claim 33, wherein said step of stamping furthercomprises the steps of: stamping a semicircular perforation slopingupward from said inner side of said legging structure to said outer sideof said legging structure.